Take-up block



Patented Aug. 29, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TAKE-UP BLOCK Frank S. Zaica, Bethany, Conn. Application March 27, 1944, Serial No. 528,326

(Cl. 24R-78)V 4 Claims.

The present invention relates toimpr'ovements in take-up blocks such as those used in the wire drawing or wire processing industry. `It is customary in this industry, in various operations, to

use adrum-like receiver known as a block for accumulating a multiplicity of adjacent convolutions of wire in substantially circular coiled form as the wire or rod stock comes either from a drawing die or from processing devices such as galvanizing frames or the like. Such blocks are frequently in the formof a short drum-like annular member carrying a plurality of longitudinally-extending rods on which the accumulated convolutions of wire or rod stock are progressive-l ly accumulated as the block rotates.

The present invention is directed particularly to an improved take-up block of the type carrying a plurality of -longitudinally-extending rods which in some cases converge, at least one of the rods being provided with a slidably supported keeper having a recessed portion housing a resilient member and a rod-engaging friction member adapted to impositively hold or lock the keeper in variouspositions of adjustment lengthwise of the rod, this keeper being adapted, when in normal position, to prevent the convolutions from slipping endwise off the take-up block. The

keeper is also adapted to be swung inwardly to such position that the accumulated batch of coiled wire on the block can be readily removed therefrom, without interference by the keeper.

The above and other aspects of the inventionl will be fully apparent from a consideration of the following detailed disclosure, the accompanying drawing, and the appended claims. i

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a take-up block embodying the invention, the keeper illustrated being shown in full lines in normal positions to prevent convolutions from slipping ,off the block and in dotted lines illustrating the position to which the keepers are swung to facilitate stripping a coiled batch of convolutions from the block. y

Figure 2 is a section on line II-II of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail showing the improved keeper mounted on one .of the rods of the block.

` shaft which near one `extremity carries a collar l2 and an enlarged shank I4 having an integral threaded extension I6 carrying a clamp nut I8 an annular rim 24 having av radially extending` flange 26.

.A plurality of rods 28 shouldered at 30 are secured to the member 24 by a suitable fastening means such as nuts 32. Usually the 'rods 28 will converge longitudinally'V so as to facilitate the progressive movement of thecoiled convolutions of the wire or rod w thereon. At their outer ends the rods arel connected to one another by a spider or ring 34.

I-t is well known to those skilled'in the art that in the normal operation of a take-up blockl of the general type shown in Figure 1, the wire or rod lstock coiled thereon is directed onto the block at drawing die or through take-up frames of asso- A particular feature of the present invention is directed tothe provision of an improved yieldingly mounted keeper for properly restraining the Figure 4 is a section on line IV-IV of Figure 3.-

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 3, showing the keeper swung to position to facilitate stripping the accumulated convolutions from the block..

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, I0 represents a suitable clutch-controlledpo'wer convolutions against toov free an endwise movement. As illustrated in the drawing, I provide on each of two diametrically disposed rods 28, a

keeper constructed and arranged as illustrated modation of a compression spring 46 and a substantiallyV spherical friction member 48 which is adaptedto slidably engage a'guide groove 'Il extending longitudinally through the length of the rod 28. The members I8 and Ill have respective rod-engaging jaws 52 and 54 whose outer extremities. 58 and B8 terminate within the circular path traversed by the outer part of rods 2 when the block is rotating, so that when it is desired to strip an accumulated batch ot coiled wire or rod stock from the block, the keepers,

when swung inwardly to the dotted line position of Figure i, will be entirely clear of the inside diameter oi?` the convolutions; thus the accumulated batch can be slippedoif endwise while the block is rotating. i

It will be understood that in normal operation the keepers will occupy the full-line position of Figures 1 and 2, and it will also be appreciated that the keeper can be shifted manually to any desired position lengthwise along the rods 28. It is possible to so construct and arrange the parts that the yielding force exerted by the spring 48 on the substantially spherical friction member 48 can be so predetermined that the crowding action of the accumulated convolutions on the block will be ellective to gradually shift the keeper automatically longitudinally of the rod 28 as the batch of convolutions accumulates.

The keeper as described, being impositively locked by the friction exerted by the substantially spherical member 4l and spring will in normal operating position be maintained in a proper outward position to prevent slippage of convolutions from the end of the block, yet when a given batch has accumulated. the operator can cut the wire. then quickly and easily turn the keepers inwardly while the block is rotating, and

Y insert one hand endwlse through the center of various modincations may be made by those skilled in the art without departure from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim: f

1. A wire take-up block comprising a rotary member carrying a plurality of longitudinally extending rods at least one of which slldably supports a keeper, said keeper having a recessed portion housing a resilient member and a rod- Ivarious positions on the rod, the rod having a guide groove formed therein for coaction with said member. l

3. .A wire take-up block comprising' a rotary member carrying a plurality of longitudinallyextending rods at least one of which carries a keeper, said keeper having a recessed portion carrying a spring and a friction member of substantially spherical iorm coacting therewith adapted to impositively hold the keeper in various positions on the rod, the rod being longitudinally grooved for coaction with said friction member.

4. A wire take-up block comprising a rotary member carrying a plurality of longitudinally converging rods at least one or which carries a keeper comprising a pair of complementary sections secured together and having rod-engaging jaws whose free extremities terminate within the circular path traversed by the outermost part of said rods while the block is rotating. saidkeeper sections being recessed, a compression spring and a substantially spherical friction member confined within the recessed portion of the keeper, said rod having a longitudinally extending arcuate groove therein for guiding engagement with said" friction member.

FRANK S. ZAICA. 

